Venugopal to Congmen: Don't debate DCM issue in public

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal has issued a public directive to party colleagues to not speak before the media on increasing the number of Deputy Chief Ministers in the Karnataka government.

Strangely however, he blamed alleged instigation by the news media for comments freely offered by ministers in the State government.

The Congress leader claimed that the controversy was being instigated by the BJP and its “other regional parties”, most likely referring to JD(S), allegedly to deflect from the success of the four of the five guarantees that the Karnataka government has already implemented.

“The success of these welfare measures has made the BJP and other regional parties jittery and uncomfortable. In the usual tactic of diversion and manipulation, they are now using a section of the media to fuel wholly unwarranted rumours with regard to the post of Chief Minister and number of Deputy Chief Ministers,” Venugopal said.

“We want to clearly reiterate that the ‘Karnataka Model’ of a welfare government requires complete unity and cohesion within the party, as also dedication to the goal of continuously implementing the Congress guarantees, that are transformative.

Divisive or confusing statements made publicly by Congress leaders would impact the discipline and solidarity that have been the hallmark of our party’s success.

“I urge upon all party leaders to raise party and government related issues on party forum and not in public glare. Any such remarks go against the interest of the party and the smooth functioning of the government. Such public remarks are unacceptable and unwarranted. Every Congress worker and leader should take note thereof,” he added.

Rajanna’s suggestion Venugopal was referring to the comments made by Co-operation Minister KN Rajanna on the need for three more Deputy CMs, one from Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories, one from a minority community and another from among the Veerashaiva-Lingayats.

Following this, Congress MLA from Yelburga Basavaraja Rayareddy chipped in and said that there should be five more Deputy CMs.